Visiting Ninh Binh by bike. Rice fields in Ninh Bing

VIETNAM GUIDE

Travel to VIETNAM, ONE OF THE GEMS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

Vietnam is a country known for its Buddhist pagodas, bustling cities, rivers, and beaches. We spent 12 days exploring the country, so here we’ve gathered all the information about must-see places, tips, and useful information to make planning your trip to Vietnam easy.

⇲ ABOUT VIETNAM

⇲ TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO VIETNAM

⇲ NORTHERN REGION: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Ninh Binh - Sapa

⇲ CENTRAL REGION: Da Nang - Hoi An

⇲ SOUTHERN REGION: Ho Chi Minh

⇲ INSURANCE & ESIM

ABOUT VIETNAM

Its capital is Hanoi, with 8,2 million inhabitants, although its most populous city is Ho Chi Minh City, with more than 9 million.

The official language is Vietnamese. Many locals do not have a good command of English, but in restaurants, hotels, and tours, it’s usually not a problem to find people with whom you can communicate well in English. Our recommendation is that when you approach a local, use some simple expressions like “Xin Chào” to say ‘hello’ or “cám ơn” to say ‘thank you’ (pronounced as ‘kam on’); they’ll surely respond with a smile!

The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). 1€ or $1 is approximately 27,000 to 28,000 dongs. To visit this country, we recommend that you carry cash, as in most shops and restaurants you can only pay in cash. We also recommend having cash for hotels because if you pay by card, they’ll likely charge a 3% commission.

Vietnam is a very large country, so you should consider how to get around to plan your travel itinerary. You need to pay close attention to the schedules of flights, trains, buses, etc., to find the most efficient combination based on the days you have available. Are you wondering how many days you need to travel to Vietnam? After spending 12 days on a non-stop trip, we would say that 12 to 15 days is the minimum, and from there, whatever additional time you can dedicate will allow you to explore more areas.

As for flights, Vietnam has up to eleven airports that handle domestic and international flights, although the three best-known are: Noi Bai International Airport, about 35km from the city of Hanoi; Da Nang International Airport, located in central Vietnam to visit the Danang and Hoi An area; and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, in the south of the country, 8km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. The national airline is Vietnam Airlines. In our case, we used it to fly from Hanoi to Da Nang and back, and we had smooth flights with friendly and punctual service. If you’re looking for more affordable options, there are other Vietnamese airlines like VietJet Air or Bamboo Airways.

TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO VIETNAM

If you’re wondering whether you need vaccinations to travel to Vietnam, the answer is that no mandatory vaccines are required. However, basic vaccinations are recommended (hepatitis A and B, tetanus, MMR, etc.), as long as you don’t venture into the jungle or swampy areas, where typhoid fever and malaria prophylaxis would be advisable. We always recommend scheduling a visit with a doctor at the International Travel Health Service or reading the health recommendations from your country’s Ministry of Health. Remember to always carry mosquito repellent, especially at dawn and dusk when they are most active.

The best option for getting around Vietnam for short distances is Grab, an app similar to Uber but much more common throughout Southeast Asia. It’s the most effective way to avoid scams, which are very common among tourists, especially by taxi drivers. If you do take a taxi, the best way to avoid these scams is to be familiar with your destination and some key landmarks along the route, and always agree on the fare in advance.

You can cover longer distances by train. We didn’t take any trains due to reviews stating that they’re not very clean or modern (nothing like the night train in Thailand from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, for example). However, they do allow you to reach more remote places like Sapa. You can check schedules and book tickets through the platform 12go.com.

Besides planes and trains, there is also the option of overnight buses for covering long distances, allowing you to save a night’s hotel stay and arrive at your new destination in the morning. If you plan to book an overnight bus, keep in mind that the seats don’t offer much legroom, so if you’re tall, you might not be able to stretch your legs. We recommend bringing an eye mask and earplugs to help you sleep. On routes to Sapa, it may be difficult to sleep due to the many curves along the way.

One curiosity about Vietnam, specially in Hanoi, is the difficulty in crossing certain streets during rush hours, so you’ll need a lot of determination to cross them. Our best advice is that once you start, don’t stop and avoid sudden movements—this way, the motorbikes and cars can see where you’re trying to cross, and you’ll see how they maneuver around you. If you still don’t feel very safe, you can cross with one hand raised, as some Vietnamese people do, to ensure that drivers see you. Due to the chaotic traffic in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, we don’t recommend renting a motorcycle there. If you enjoy exploring places at your own pace by motorcycle, it’s better to do so in areas like Hoi An, Da Nang, Ninh Binh, or the Ha Giang Loop, a roughly 350km circular route ideal for motorbike travel in the north of the country.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Vietnam, you’ll find no shortage of accommodations that suit your budget. The country offers a wide range of hotels at relatively low prices. Our recommendation is that, aside from the photos—which can sometimes show a room that looks beautiful on Booking or Agoda—always check the accommodation’s rating and read some of the most recent or relevant reviews to avoid any surprises upon arrival.

NORTHERN REGION VIETNAM

Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its chaotic Old Quarter, a maze of narrow streets where you can find just about anything you can imagine. Many streets are organized by the traditional trades that were once practiced there, such as Flower Street, Tailor Street, the street that only sells chicken, technology, and so on.

Despite the city’s chaos, it has a major advantage: almost all the must-see places are located in the Old Quarter, Hanoi’s most touristy neighborhood, where we recommend staying so you can visit the tourist sites on foot.

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NGOC SON TEMPLE

Hoan Kiem Lake and the islet where the Ngoc Son Temple is located, connected by the famous red bridge (also known as the Rising Sun Bridge), is one of the first sites you shouldn’t miss. The monument houses altars dedicated to figures from Chinese culture who are revered in Taoism, as well as a Vietnamese generalissimo who repelled the Mongol invasions of the 13th century. You’ll also find a display case with a mummified turtle, as turtles are sacred animals often venerated by Vietnamese people.

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TRAN QUOC PAGODA

Tran Quoc Pagoda is located on the shores of West Lake and is the oldest in Hanoi. It is about 15 meters tall and has 11 floors (one for each of the Buddhist realms). It is one of the farthest stops from the Old Quarter, about a 35-minute walk (2.5 km). We chose to walk, but you can always use Grab and be there in less than 10 minutes. Note that the visiting hours are from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM and from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM, and you must adhere to the dress code by covering your shoulders and knees.

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HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM AND ONE PILLAR PAGODA

A 20-minute walk from Tran Quoc Pagoda, you’ll find the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. This imposing concrete building, designed in the style of a classic temple, houses the embalmed body of the leader of the Vietnamese Communist Revolution, Ho Chi Minh. Entry is free, and photography is not allowed inside. Keep in mind that there is also a dress code—shoulders and knees must be covered—as we were unable to enter due to not adhering to it.

Next to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda. This pagoda is neither large nor majestic, but its uniqueness lies in its structure, which is one of a kind in the world. The structure rests on a single stone column that supports all the wooden pillars of the pagoda.

TEMPLE OF LITERATURE

After visiting the Pagoda and/or the Mausoleum, you can find the Temple of Literature nearby. There, you can admire what was once Vietnam’s first university, renowned for its tough exams and strict rules. Much of the interior of this site has been lost, but you can still explore some of its main areas, accessing the courtyards through various traditional gates. The interiors are filled with statues of different figures who are part of its history.

Mausoleo Ho Chi Minh Hanoi

Templo de la literatura Hanoi

Hanoi Literature Temple

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TRAIN STREET

And you’ve probably heard of the next place: Train Street in Hanoi. Thanks to—or because of—Instagram, this long and narrow street that cuts through Le Duan and Kham Thien streets is famous because the train passes less than 1 meter away from the houses on either side every day. Nowadays, this street is lined with cafes where you can have a drink and watch the train pass by from street-level tables or from the balconies that most of them have installed. You can check the train schedules online and arrive there an hour or 30 minutes before to secure a good spot, as it tends to get very crowded. Due to incidents caused by some irresponsible tourists, the authorities decided to close the street to tourists a few months ago. Currently, you’ll see barriers at the entrance where you have to wait for a worker from one of the cafes to invite you in for a drink at their place, and then you can enter with them (at least that’s how it worked for us in April 2024).

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NIGHT MARKET

If you're in Hanoi from Friday to Sunday—since it only happens on these days—you should visit the night market set up along Hang Dao Street. You'll find hundreds of street stalls selling all kinds of imitation t-shirts and accessories from well-known brands, souvenir shops, food stalls, and more. The good part, at least for us since we're not very good at haggling, is that most of these shops have fixed prices.

HOA LO PRISON

If you want to learn more about the history of Vietnam, we recommend visiting Hoa Lo Prison. This prison was built by the French in 1886 to imprison political prisoners. At one point, there were more than 2,000 prisoners in inhumane conditions, which you can vividly imagine when you see all the cells. During the Vietnam War against the USA, it was used to detain American soldiers.

ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL

St. Joseph's Cathedral is the most important Catholic landmark to see in Hanoi. It is a neo-Gothic style church built in the 19th century during the French colonial period, which is why it’s often referred to as “Vietnam's Notre Dame".

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OTHER PLACES TO VISIT IN HANOI

Another recommended activity when visiting Hanoi is attending a water puppet show. We didn't go, but we wanted to mention it in case you're interested in seeing it. The story is told in Vietnamese, but you have the option to get headphones with simultaneous translation to better understand the plot. There are several showtimes, and one of the most well-known theaters to see it is the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, right in the Old Quarter.

You can also go up to one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city, like the Lotte Center, to admire the vastness of Hanoi.

One place we didn't want to miss in Hanoi was The Note Coffee. Yes, it’s a super original café, and its main attraction is that the walls, chairs, tables, doors—everything is covered with post-its that customers can personalize with messages and stick wherever they want, without limits!

Tip: We recommend booking a free tour of downtown Hanoi to visit all these places with a guide who can show you the most authentic spots while sharing the culture and curiosities of this country. We took the "Free Tour of Hanoi," which was the highest-rated on Guruwalk.com.

FROM HANOI: A TRIP TO THE INCENSE VILLAGE

During your stay in Hanoi, set aside a morning to visit Quang Phu Cau, also known as the incense village, located about 40 km away, or 1 hour by car. This village has become a very popular destination due to its more than 100-year tradition of exclusively producing incense. We went on our own, and as soon as we entered the village by car, we could see all the sidewalks filled with incense and watch how it was made. There are several places that have prepared original arrangements with these colorful bundles of incense for you to take photos. We chose Làng làm hương đỏ, and we would recommend it—they had all the incense well-maintained and several ladders to get elevated angles for your photos.

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NORTHERN REGION VIETNAM

HA LONG BAY

In the northeast of Vietnam, about 2-3 hours by car from central Hanoi, you’ll find Ha Long Bay, known for its emerald-colored waters and unique limestone formations that create a one-of-a-kind environment. We highly recommend including this place in your Vietnam itinerary, as it surely won't disappoint.

Wondering how to visit Ha Long Bay and make the most of it? Here are the three options available:

1 DAY CRUISE:

Ideal for a day trip from Hanoi if your time is limited. This option usually includes round-trip transfers from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, lunch, tea, and kayaking to explore some areas of the lagoon, as well as excursions to caves, swimming at Titop Island, visits to a viewpoint for panoramic views, or similar stops.

2-DAY / 1-NIGHT CRUISE:

With this option, you’ll spend the night on the cruise, having a fully furnished cabin with ocean views, allowing you to fall asleep and wake up to breathtaking scenery. These cruises typically include full board and activities like squid fishing, Tai Chi classes, or cooking classes in the afternoon. Choosing this option allows you to enjoy Ha Long Bay more than with just a day trip, as you’ll see more landscapes and areas, given that the boat can venture farther from the starting point where all cruises depart.

3-DAY / 2-NIGHT CRUISE

We chose this option, and honestly, if you have enough days, we highly recommend it. After doing a lot of research and reading about the best boats, we decided to book with Genesis Luxury Regal Cruises through Booking.com for about 550€ for the two of us. In general, you can find more budget-friendly options for around 100-300€, which feature older boats with fewer services included; more luxurious options for around 300-700€, offering newer boats and more premium service; and top luxury options starting at 700€, with very modern boats and more amenities. Regarding the boat we chose, it had a unique feature within its category: all rooms had a bathtub with views of the bay, and all beds were placed in front of the windows to offer the best views at sunrise and throughout the day. The food provided was excellent, and we consider ourselves strict in this regard. It was high-quality, fresh, and beautifully presented, with consideration given to individual preferences (for example, Santi doesn’t eat fish, and another couple always requested vegan dishes).

Another part we really liked was that the cruise took us through Lan Ha Bay, on the other side of Ha Long Bay. This bay offers the same idyllic landscapes but with a significant advantage—it's not as crowded with tourists. We can confirm this because, despite being aware of the tourist saturation in the area, we were amazed by the number of boats offering 1- to 3-day cruises through Ha Long Bay. So, if the cruise you choose navigates Lang Ha Bay, you won’t be alone, far from it, but it won’t be as crowded.

One of the stops we enjoyed the most and consider a must-see is Cat Ba Island, one of the largest in the Gulf of Tonkin. It’s a small fishing village known as Viet Hai Village, which remains isolated and can only be accessed by boat. Once on the island, the boat docks, and you can either take a bicycle or hop on an electric car that will take you to the village. If physically able, we recommend taking the bicycle to better enjoy the landscape and the experience (it’s about 10 km in total, and despite two steeper climbs, the rest is flat and easy to navigate). Besides Cat Ba, we did kayaking one morning in the area where they took us, and we also boarded a traditional boat to explore another part of the lagoon, passing through a cave and enjoying the unique and idyllic landscapes of the area. Like the 2-day/1-night cruises, they also offer Tai Chi classes in the morning (specifically at 5:30 am), cooking classes in the afternoon, and more. In our case, the same cooking class was repeated on both days, demonstrating the preparation of traditional Vietnamese spring rolls. They show you how to prepare them with all the ingredients, and when finished, you get to make your own, and if you like it, you can make another one.

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NORTHERN REGION VIETNAM

NINH BINH

Ninh Binh is a small area in northern Vietnam, about a two-hour drive from Hanoi. Traveling by car or using a transfer service is the most expensive but also the most comfortable option. You can also reach it by train, which takes around two hours and fifteen minutes, or by bus, which takes about three hours. As a recommendation, look for the option of a shared limousine (a super comfortable van for about 8-10 people that we discovered on our way back, for a much cheaper price than what we paid with Grab on the way there).

We spent 2 and a half days there, but honestly, we would have loved to stay much longer. The beauty of its rice fields, the landscapes of karst mountains surrounded by navigable rivers, and the peace and tranquility you can feel there definitely won us over.

One of the first questions that might come up is: where should you stay, in Tam Coc or Trang An? If this is your first time reading about Vietnam, here’s a quick summary: Ninh Binh refers to the capital of the province and the city, which, according to what we’ve read, doesn’t offer much in terms of tourist attractions. The Ninh Binh area covers other regions, including Tam Coc and Trang An.
Tam Coc is the more well-known and touristy area, where you’ll find all kinds of services (restaurants, cafes, shops, etc.). It’s a lively place with various accommodation options but not overcrowded.
Trang An is the quieter area, not as busy since it lacks a main town, so accommodations are typically small home stays scattered throughout the area.

Here’s a list of places in Ninh Binh you shouldn’t miss:

BICH DONG PAGODA:

You’ve probably seen this place featured in many Vietnam travel guides. This beautiful gate leads to three levels of pagodas: Ha, Trung, and Thuong, which you can reach by climbing stairs. The site is always open and doesn’t require an entrance fee, so you can visit it whenever it suits you best. We rode bicycles from our hotel (Lalita Boutique Hotel), as it was only about 4-5 kilometers away. Even if you’re not a big fan of exercise, the journey flies by with all the surrounding nature.

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MUA CAVES:

Yes, you’ll have to climb 500 steps to visit it, but we promise the view of all of Tam Coc is worth it. We recommend visiting at sunrise to avoid crowds and the heat, as the 500 steps can be exhausting. As you near the top, the stairs will split. We suggest taking the left path, as it offers the best views, with the Ngo Dong River winding between the mountains. If you're not too tired, before heading back down, you can also take the right path to get different perspectives of the area (in our case, Santi convinced me, and it was worth it).

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BAI DINH BUDDHIST COMPLEX:

Bai Dinh is one of the largest Buddhist complexes in Southeast Asia. It has many temples and places to visit, so we recommend setting aside at least a morning or afternoon for it. One of the most iconic spots is the Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the tallest in the area. You can admire it from the outside and even take an elevator up to explore its interior and enjoy the views from above. You’ll also be impressed by some of the temples, which feature more than 500 statues of Buddhas in various shapes and sizes.

A tip: be mindful when paying for the entrance, as there are several package options, and the attendant only offered us the most expensive one, which included the electric car, a guide, kayaking on the river, etc. We only chose the electric car option, which we found essential given the long walking distances between points of interest within the complex, the rest is completely unnecessary. It’s open daily from 6am to 10pm.

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THE CITADEL OF HOA LU:

This place is known for being the capital of Vietnam during the X and XI centuries. It consists of ancient temples and statues, offering a glimpse into the country’s history. The entrance fee is 20,000 VND per person (about 1€). We must admit this was our least favorite spot, so we recommend a quick visit—just take a stroll and spend more time at other, more charming places.

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BOAT RIDE IN TRANG AN OR TAM COC:

This is an activity you definitely shouldn't miss. Gliding along a traditional Vietnamese boat on the river, surrounded by rice fields and nature, and passing through caves is an unforgettable experience.

If you take the tour from the Tam Coc area, you'll witness the boatman rowing with their feet. The Tam Coc route typically lasts about an hour and a half. The good news is that the boat is private; it’s usually designed for up to two people, although we saw some boats carrying three. Prices are fixed: 150.000 VND (5-6€) per boat and 120.000 VND (4-5€) per passenger. Keep in mind that toward the end of the trip, your boatman may try to sell you souvenirs like small bags or paintings or directly ask for a tip. They can be quite persistent; in our case, we gave a tip, but the boatman still asked for more and tried to sell us more products.

On the other hand, if you opt for the tour from Trang An, you should know there are three routes available:

The first passes through 7 caves and 2 temples, lasting 3.5 hours.
The second goes through 4 caves, 3 temples, and a village, with a duration of 3 hours.
The third visits 3 caves and 3 temples, also lasting 3 hours.

Unlike the Tam Coc tour, the Trang An route is circular rather than a round trip on the same path. However, the downside is that the boat is shared, and the boatman rows with their hands, not feet.

We believe both areas have their unique charm, so there is no right or wrong choice. If you have time, you can always do both. We can assure you that if we had had one more day in Ninh Binh, we would have done exactly that!

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RIDE A BIKE AROUND NINH BINH:

As we mentioned earlier, we used bicycles to get from our hotel to some of the places on this list, and we highly recommend it. We should also note that during our stay in Ninh Binh, the weather was cloudy and cool, which made cycling around the area a memorable and charming experience. If we had been cycling in 40-degree heat, we probably wouldn’t remember it so fondly. If it's very hot when you visit, we recommend renting a motorbike, as it’s the most comfortable and common way to get around Ninh Binh (and don’t worry about traffic; it's nothing like the chaos in Hanoi or other Vietnamese cities). Another option is using Grab or taxis, which aren’t too expensive, but keep in mind that it can sometimes be difficult to find one at some temples. We recommend negotiating a round-trip fare with the driver so they wait for you while you visit.

CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK:

Due to time constraints, we couldn't visit it, but based on recommendations from other travelers, if you enjoy hiking, this park should be on your list. Considering how beautiful Ninh Binh is, we're sure this park won't disappoint. In fact, it’s the oldest national park in Vietnam and home to many animals and plants. You can explore the park on your own by following the signs or book a guided tour.

NORTHERN REGION VIETNAM

SAPA

Sapa is a city in the mountains in the northwest of Vietnam, in the Lao Cai province, about 300 km from Hanoi. It’s known for its hiking trails through the mountains and the impressive terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley. The area is mainly inhabited by tribal groups such as the H’Mong, Tay, and Dao.

We weren't able to visit this place, and not for lack of desire! To get to Sapa, you can take the night train to Lao Cai station and from there take a bus or private transport to Sapa. You can also reach Sapa by night bus or private transport, with a journey time of around 6-7 hours.

After trying to fit this destination into our itinerary (since we love being surrounded by rice fields), we eventually decided against it due to time constraints and prioritized seeing other areas at a more relaxed pace, instead of rushing through everything. However, if you're traveling to Vietnam for 15 days or more, don’t hesitate to include Sapa in your itinerary. Just make sure to consider the timing of your visit so you can see the rice fields at their greenest and most vibrant, as they don’t always look like the lush green landscapes you see in photos. The best time to see the rice terraces in Sapa is said to be from early March to late May.

CENTRAL REGION VIETNAM

DA NANG

Da Nang is a coastal city located in central Vietnam. It is known for its beaches and its history as a French colonial port. It is one of the most developed cities in Vietnam, something you'll notice right away upon arrival, with its numerous resorts, restaurants and shops.

You can get to Da Nang by bus (the cheapest option but also the longest, as it can take around 14 hours from Hanoi), by train (another budget option that’s faster than the bus), or, most recommended, by plane, as there are regular flights from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang Airport, making it the quickest and most comfortable way to arrive.

You can stay in Da Nang, but if you're short on time, as we were, we recommend staying in Hoi An and visiting all the sites we describe below from there, as the two cities are only about 35 km apart (50 minutes to 1 hour by car).

SUN WORLD BA NA HILLS THEME PARK:

For us, Ban Na Hills is definitely a place you can’t miss. Although, as we’ve mentioned, it’s a theme park and doesn’t have the historical or cultural significance of other locations, the Golden Bridge held up by stone hands, the replica of a French village that transports you to another time, the flower gardens, and so much more, are sure to enchant you.

Ba Na Hills is located at the top of Nui Chua Mountain, about 1.400 meters above sea level, so to get there, you'll need to take a cable car that lasts around 15 minutes. However, it won’t feel long at all, as you'll be treated to fantastic views as you ascend.

We recommend going up as early as possible to avoid the crowds; the cable car opens at 8am, but some people stay overnight at the hotels within the park.

As soon as you arrive at the first stop, you can get off and enjoy the Golden Bridge—an incredibly beautiful structure that’s even more impressive if you're lucky enough to have clear skies to enjoy the views.

We also recommend visiting the entertainment area of Fantasy Park, the Le Jardin D’Amour flower gardens, the Buddha statue at Linh Ung Temple, the French Village, and more. Rest assured, you won’t run out of activities or sights to enjoy during your day there.

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MARBLE MOUNTAINS:

Marble Mountain, or Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnamese, meaning the "mountain of the five elements," is one of the most well-known sites in Da Nang. It gets its name from the marble artisans who worked and still work at the base of the mountain.

A staircase of about 150 steps will take you to the top of Thuy Son, the only marble mountain accessible to visitors. Once at the top, you can enjoy views of the other marble mountains, the countryside and the coast. Inside the caves, you'll find small shrines and pagodas, both Buddhist and Hindu.

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LINH UNG PAGODA - LADY BUDA STATUE:

This pagoda is famous for having the largest female Buddha statue in Vietnam, standing 67 meters tall. She is known as Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Facing the sea with her back to the mountain, this sacred place is important to both locals and Buddhist practitioners. You can also ascend inside the monument up to about 17 floors, each with Buddha statues representing different aspects of his life.

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MY SON SANCTUARY AND HUE THE IMPERIAL CITY

From Da Nang (or Hoi An, though it’s a bit farther), you have the option of two excursions: visiting the My Son Ruins and Hue, the imperial capital.
In our case, we didn't visit Hue due to a lack of time and, after several days of moving from place to place, we decided to skip the trip from Hoi An, where we were staying. As for My Son, these ruins are often compared to Angkor, and we were told that if you've seen Angkor Wat, My Son may seem underwhelming. With that in mind, and since we're eager to visit Cambodia soon, we decided to skip this stop.

The My Son Sanctuary ruins belong to a complex of Hindu temples built between the 4th and 13th centuries by the Champa civilization, which dominated much of what is now central and southern Vietnam for over a millennium. Although many of the temples were damaged during the Vietnam War, you can still admire their architecture and the details in the reliefs. It's about an hour's drive from both central Da Nang and Hoi An, and you can visit on your own or with a guide; the latter option is recommended to learn more about its history.

Hue is the former imperial capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945, during the Nguyen dynasty, making it a place rich in history and culture. It's recommended to spend a day there, and some travelers even stay overnight. Like My Son, much of its heritage was lost during the war, but there are still interesting places to visit, such as imperial tombs and the Thien Mu Pagoda. It’s located about 2 hours by car from Da Nang or 2.5 hours from Hoi An.

OTHER PLACES THAT YOU CAN VISIT IF YOU STILL HAVE MORE TIME:

My Khe Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches along that coast.

Walk along the Han River and see the Dragon Bridge, among other sights.

Stroll through Da Nang Market and visit Da Nang Cathedral.

CENTRAL REGION VIETNAM

HOI AN

Hoi An, one of the most charming cities on Vietnam's central coast, is famous for its colorful lanterns that adorn the streets, buildings, and bridges over the river. These lanterns are undoubtedly an important symbol of the city, creating a magical and romantic atmosphere as you stroll through the streets, especially at night when they light up.

Most of the must-see spots in Hoi An are located in the Old Town, a pedestrian area where you'll find all kinds of restaurants, cafes, shops, art galleries, temples, and more.

To visit most of the attractions in Hoi An's historic center, you'll need to pay an entrance fee. We recommend purchasing the Hoi An Old Town Ticket, a combined ticket that allows you to visit 5 out of the 22 attractions for around 120,000 VND (approximately 5€).

JAPANESE BRIDGE

The Japanese Bridge in Hoi An is an iconic symbol of the city, one of the most well-known and visited landmarks. In fact, you can see this monument on the 20,000 VND banknote. It is located in the heart of Hoi An’s Old Town, so the best way to reach it is on foot. The bridge was built with a unique blend of Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese architecture, and it has undergone several renovations over time. As you can see in the photo, when we visited, they were carrying out one of these renovations.

ASSEMBLY HALLS

You can visit several assembly halls, which were used as meeting centers for the Chinese communities that settled in Hoi An. We recommend the Chaozhou Assembly Hall (Trieu Chau). This Cantonese Assembly is dedicated to the deity of Trieu Chau, built by Chinese residents of the Trieu Chau ethnic group who came to live in Hoi An in the past. You can observe the traditional Chinese style in its architecture, with dragons and lions, symbols used to attract good fortune and protection. You can also visit the Fujian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien), which we really enjoyed—photos are below—or the Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Dong), among others.

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TRADITIONAL MERCHANT HOUSES OF HOI AN

The Hoi An area was a trading port for many years, attracting merchants from various parts of the world to the city. This contributed to the diverse houses in the old quarter, reflecting the variety of traditions and cultures that coexisted there in the past. Several of these houses are still preserved, and the families allow them to be visited by the public.

The most well-known ones are: the Ancient House of Tan Ky, one of the most famous, with over 200 years of history; the Ancient House of Quang Thang, less known but worth visiting, showcasing Chinese influence and the lifestyle in Hoi An from several centuries ago; the Ancient House of Phung Hung; and the Sa Huynh Museum.

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BA MU TEMPLE

An oasis of tranquility in the center of Hoi An. If you’re nearby, we recommend taking a stroll by the gates of this Ba Mu Temple. Surrounded by a pond with water lilies, it offers a lovely view. Keep in mind that only the temple gates and the pond remain; there is nothing behind the gates.

AN BANG BEACH

If you're in Hoi An and feel like walking barefoot on the sand and swimming at the beach, you can head to An Bang Beach, one of the closest and most beautiful beaches near the city. You can also check out Hidden Beach Hoi An, South An Bang, and Cua Dai, all of which have good reviews, so you can look at photos and choose the one that appeals to you the most.

HOI AN BASKET BOAT TOUR

This was definitely one of the most fun activities we did on our trip. You'll hop into a bamboo basket boat and be taken on a ride along a river surrounded by coconut trees. You'll experience how these boats spin with just a single paddle and even get to test your fishing skills by trying to catch crabs (and then immediately releasing them back into the water). When we booked this activity, we were worried it might be a "tourist trap," and yes, there are lots of tourists, and even a boat with a karaoke speaker, but honestly, we would still recommend it. It's an original and very fun experience. And if you've seen videos online of tourists falling into the water while the boats spin, rest assured that those are isolated incidents. The boats only go at that speed for those who pay to ride with two experienced boatmen halfway through the trip. Otherwise, your boatman will likely spin the boat in a much gentler way (he’ll ask you beforehand), and you can ask him to stop at any time.

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CREATE YOUR OWN LANTERN, THE BEST SOUVENIR

We knew we wanted to bring a lantern home as a souvenir, so we didn’t hesitate for a second when we saw the opportunity to create our own. They offered a full class where you build the entire structure and decorate it (2.5 hours), as well as an express class (1.5 hours) where you start with the bamboo structure and go straight to the decoration.

We booked this activity and were absolutely delighted; the personalized attention and care for everyone was excellent! Click here to book your experience there through GetYourGuide.

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NIGHT BOAT RIDE ON THE HOAI RIVER

We recommend this activity, but with a caveat: you'll notice that the boat ride often comes with the release of a floating lantern that drifts down the river. Aside from the significant pollution this causes in the river, it has also led to more than one fire since some of the bridges crossing the river are made of wood. We took the boat ride because we found the romantic atmosphere with all the lanterns on both sides of the river to be enchanting, but we chose not to release any lanterns into the river. You can book the activity clicking here!

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BIKE RIDE THROUGH HOI AN RICE FIELDS

This is one activity we missed out on and really regret it, especially because every time we traveled between Hoi An and Da Nang, we saw countless rice fields with small paths winding through them where we would have loved to get lost on a bike ride. So, if you have the time and love views of rice fields as much as we do, make sure to add this to your list!

Southern REGION VIETNAM

HO CHI MINH

In the south of Vietnam, you'll find Ho Chi Minh City, also commonly known as Saigon. We didn't get a chance to visit it because, with the limited days we had to explore the country, we chose to delve deeper into the places we did visit. However, it wasn't an easy decision since, after reading a lot online, we found that the city evokes very different feelings depending on the traveler—some people loved it, while others advised avoiding it, saying you're not missing much and that it's a chaotic city; even more so than Hanoi, which is saying a lot...

If you have enough time or simply feel like visiting, here are the top spots to check out:

Ben Thanh Market
Reunification Palace
Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral
Saigon Central Post Office
Jade Emperor Pagoda
War Remnants Museum
Saigon Opera House
Nguyen Hue Walking Street and City Hall
Bui Vien Street

You can arrive by plane, as being the second most important city in Vietnam, its airport receives flights from most international cities, in addition to domestic flights from Hanoi, Da Nang, and others.

You can also get there by train from Hanoi, Da Nang, or Nha Trang, but keep in mind the distances and travel time, as the route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh takes almost a day and 12 hours. From Da Nang, it still takes about 20 hours.

Traveling by bus is also an option, but the same issue applies, as the journey duration tends to be quite long. Most bus travelers coming to Ho Chi Minh are from Cambodia, as the bus route from Phnom Penh to Saigon is very affordable and takes approximately 7 hours.

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